Rumours swept Glasgow last night about a fan sit-down with Brendan Rodgers where he claimed that Daizen “Danger Mouse” Maeda is back in training at Celtic and that his strain is not as bad as was feared.
Apparently, this emerged at the latest Fan Forum; I’m going to try and see if I can find a copy of the minutes somewhere and do a full report since my request to attend never even got the courtesy of an answer. Hardly a shock.
But it doesn’t really matter who attends these as long as the rest of us get to know what was discussed, and that the right questions were asked to the right people. I heard quite a bit more from the meeting in relation to players who might not have a future at the club, and if I can verify that I will write more on it, but regular readers will not be surprised.
I have my fingers crossed so much that Maeda is back in training. I can hardly contain my happiness over it. The news that he was likely to be out for the season was the very worst bit of intelligence we could have received. If it’s not true, if he’s back, if the injury isn’t what was feared, then I can only rejoice. Everyone in our support should rejoice.
But we all know somebody who will not; James Tavernier, about whom I’ll be writing more later on today. He must have nightmares about Maeda, and he’s likely to have a few more to haunt him if the little guy is back in action as soon as this. I have never seen him comfortable with Maeda on the pitch. He doesn’t have the pace or the quick wits to contain him.
We won’t know until Brendan sits in front of the hacks, where this will certainly come up. But I’ll be biting my nails until the news is confirmed, which I expect it will be since this is said to have come from the boss himself. We’ll soon find out.
But what a lift this would be for all of us and for the rest of the campaign.
This is the best news we’ll get and the worst news for our rivals. Us being back to a fully fit squad would be quite something in itself, but to have Maeda back for these crucial games … well that’s more than I dared to dream.
Fingers crossed
J
If true: Tavernier`s legs will be crossed.
Hope its true, that would be a huge unexpected boost. Ah would’ve been grateful tae have him back for even the final, if before that’s even better. Realistically, we’re still in a precarious position where injuries tae players are concerned. Lets hope we can keep them all available for the run in.
Yeah here’s hoping James. Maeda’s presence is a huge, huge boost to everyone at Celtic…and conversely the thing of nightmares for Tavernier!
Be brilliant if Maeda IS back James as your namesake is the only other winger we have who can operate effectively on that flank. Yang is nowhere NEAR good enough at least just now to get anywhere NEAR the first team and Palma is too inconsistent to be trusted.
Maeda being back is the best news possible for the final run in of games piles even more pressure on the huns
Hope this is true!! The sooner the roadrunner is back the better!!!! HH.
Bench for huns at CP. He is not needed but we bring him on for the last 5 mins to get some running in. Over next 3 games he builds up his match fitness to be in prime condition for the Final.
This is what I want.
https://x.com/videocelts/status/1783229396184093161?s=48&t=vjZ5q7IpxiJb7G91QMQywQ
This is what it’s all based on.